We've had a blast so far up here! We are in the UP of Michigan at Powderhorn Mountain where my family has vacationed since I was 3! We had the girls on their skiis the first day out but the temps were really cold so that didnt last very long. They are making more snow and we're hoping they open more runs today. The roads are rarely plowed up here to allow for snowmobiles (the preferred way to get around) so the first night in--2 of our 3 SUVS got stuck coming up the mountain to the house. That was stressful of course but it is all part of coming up here and isnt the first time that's happened.

Thanks to Aunt Lin-I have a few photos to share. I'll try to upload videos when I get home too because these kids are nuts and we're trying to catch as much of it as we can! More soon!

Ski trip photos to come!!

hilarious.

my new skis are here!

Getting ready to SKI!

We are going on our annual ski trip again this year and Haven will be on skis for the first time. My sisters and I learned when we were very small too but now-a-days (that made me feel old) kids have to wear helmets. Here's what she will be wearing!

Haven's tree and random pic of daddy

figures...

When do I get a nap?!

We love Christmas!

Aunt Laurel has requested that I get my act together and post more photos!

Some of these are from visiting Santa downtown at Macy's and eating by the tree. This was a tradition we started with our Gram and now continue with our little ones. We also went to Brookfield Zoo on Saturday night with the kids to see the zoo lights--Haven and Arlie were really cute riding in the wagon together. Yesterday Arlie turned 3 years old!

my adorable little hippie...Thanks for the photo Aunt Lin!

Look what I made!

We love Haven's school--they do the most fun activities and she really seems to have a great time when she's there. It's more than daycare--they learn something new every day! This week they're learning about Thanksgiving and used popcorn to learn to share yesterday. Today they are making stuffing for the feast at lunch time. :) She was super proud to show us this costume she made!

have a great day everyone...

catching up...more to come!

SNOW in Bourbonnais!

First snow of the season today!

Hey!!

Super behind on posts---I think I'm on a blogging break. I need to get back into it--hoping to get a new camera for my birthday so maybe that will help get my motivation back. Haven is awesome--running all over and keeping us on our toes. She does really funny things and laughs constantly. Life is good-we're loving being her parents...not much else is new I guess. Wes man is growing like crazy and Arlie Mae is saying the funniest things every time I see her. We went to breakfast today for my birthday and she ordered chocolate milk. She took a sip ( a super long sip I might add) and when I asked her if it was good she said, "Rachel, I can't talk while I'm drinking." OK...point taken.

Haven and Arlie had a "girls only" sleepover with Mina last night. I love seeing how excited they get to see each other--they really are best friends and I'm hoping they continue to grow up that way.

Haven was Minnie Mouse for Halloween which was really cute--sorry for my sucky camera or you could see a photo...

Hope everyone is well....more to come.

Rachel :)

What were we doing one year ago?

CRYING!
We were packing our overnight bags preparing for Haven's early morning surgery. So many events or moments of this past year quickly become a blur and details become hard to recall but I will NEVER forget how I felt that night before surgery. I didn't want to change her smile and I had a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that we were choosing to put her through this. I was dreading handing my baby over to a surgeon (again) and making that walk to the elevator where we would wait...and cry. I remember thinking that I needed to pull it together, pack our bag, get some sleep and be ready for a difficult day that would be here and gone. It would suck but we would get through it and move on to recovery. I was worried about how Mike would react or deal with the day to come because he spent most of those first few months being "tough" and allowing me to cry and stress about things.
Turns out, I was right! That morning came and went. Our family was there to support us at 6am. Mike and I played and distracted Haven while they do the pre-op testing. All 3 of us gowned up and waited in the surgery area for them to call us in. Dr. Polley came in to see how we were doing (I totally lost my cool at this point). He said everything was going to be fine and to trust him. We kissed our angel, handed her to the nurse and walked to the elevator. I remember feeling like this was more than just surgery--this was changingher face forever and I had mixed feelings about that the entire time we sat and waited. There were so many weeks of preparation for this day including 9 weeks of the NAM and it was hard to believe we were actually sitting in the same waiting area we had walked by week after week for so many months before. When I would go weekly for my non-stress and biophysical ultrasounds--I would see people sitting in that same area and they always looked worried. Now, my family was sitting there.

After what seemed like days had gone by, Dr. Polley paged us to meet him in the waiting area. Everything was great--he was done and she was coming out of anesthesia. Another moment I will never forget--seeing my baby's smile for the first time!

The next hours and days really did suck--they werent as tough as I thought they would be actually but I would never want to re-live them. She was swollen and we felt helpless. Mike and I took turns sleeping in ICU so one of us was always right next to her at all times. Family and friends came and went and we were home again in 2 days. Once we were home...she did awesome! Started trying to smile after a few days and we slowly returned to normal life.

I've typed this many times in this blog but I'm going to say it again now...our family amazed us from day one of this journey. They proved day in and day out what it means to really be a family: they "showed up" when it mattered, dried tears, provided comic relief and often a good meal, loved Haven unconditionally and never, ever doubted that everything would be ok. I think back on everything from pregnancy to now and I believe that I am 100% a different person than I was before Haven. I truly know how strong I am because of the family I have behind me and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us all.

Tomorrow, Aunt Lindsey is having the 1st Annual Smile BBQ in honor of the day Haven got her new smile. We are overwhelmed with the love that Lin has shown Haven and the very idea of remembering September 25th each year in this way brings tears to my eyes. Thank you for coming up with this awesome idea Aunt Lindsey!! We love you.

Happy Birthday Emma Jane!

Nike....

So, Haven now knows how to use a straw. This "swoosh" shaped cut on her chin is from trying to drink my water too fast. :)

where do I start??

Happy Birthday Aunt Lin! We love you! :)

I'm really behind on posting photos and updates...so much has happened in a month! Wes is a BIG boy these days and Arlie is really a great big sis. Amanda is awesome and handing being a mommy of TWO like a champ. Lin had a birthday yesterday and as always, we're super proud of her as she started another school year.

Haven is walking all over--and even attempting to run. This has resulted in a HUGE goose egg on her forehead (now a weird yellow green bruise), a scratch under her eye from hitting the couch on her way down as well as a burn on her arm from falling against a landscaping brick. I promise I'm a good mom!! She's really tough and I think I cry more than she does when these things happen. Haven constantly walk/runs as if someone is chasing her--the dogs, daddy, arlie mae, etc. She moved to the toddler side of the baby classroom at school which is exciting to just me I'm sure but I did learn something awesome the other day when I picked her up--she sleeps on a cot during naps. Her teachers probably think I'm nuts because I couldn't stop saying "how the HELL do you get her to do that??" I have two fans, a nightlight and a million pacies in her crib at night to keep her asleep and you get her to sleep on a freakin cot voluntarily!? Anyways, she is apparently very well behaved and loves the older toddlers so maybe she just does whatever they do...

I will work on posting new photos because she has changed so much recently. We have so much going on--as everyone else does but I need to make more time to update the blog. This has become Haven's baby book in a way--I go back and read posts from her surgery (almost a year ago!) and it's like that was a lifetime ago. I'm so glad that I kept this journal of our experiences because this has been an amazing 14 months and I wouldn't change any of it. :)

Soulshine Sara

We love our friend Sara Walsh and her STUNNING photography! We had a mini photo shoot with her over the weekend so that she could take Wes' newborn photos....

so behind....

It's been awhile since I posted on here--not really sure what to blame that on.

We had a great day today--took Haven for ice cream and to the park-just the 3 of us. She's all of a sudden this big kid who laughs at jokes, tries to climb on everything, falls all the time, throws food, cries to get her way, attempts to let go of things to walk (very daring!) and melts my heart when she smile at me. I have always known that she and I would be close like I am with my mom (and she was with Gram) but recently I can really tell we have a bond. She trusts me and knows I will always comfort her which is an awesome feeling.

Nothing but great things going on with Miss Haven! :)

Birthday Photos

Welcome Baby Wes!

We are so happy to welcome Wesley Thomas to our family! Haven's aunt Amanda had him yesterday and he is already an amazing little guy. We are so used to having girls in our family so it is really special that he is the first boy. :)

Arlie loves him already and said, "I take my baby home myself" when we left after visiting him yesterday.

Photos to come....(I'll get it together and post some birthday photos too at some point)

BEST DAY EVER.

So, she is one today and I was really emotional about that. I'm not sure why--I can only say that this year flew by and I'm so proud of the little peanut she is. I loved being pregnant (not the fat ankles and general crabiness obviously) and the planning for her to come-her room was ready and clothes were folded...all we needed was baby! I loved her smile when she was born and we made it through 2 surgeries with only a few tears. :) I will never, ever forget how awesome that day was--no one can prepare you for what it feels like to see your baby for the first time. We had the added anxiety-wondering if she would be ok, would she go right to the NICU, would she eat on her own, would she have trouble breathing??? My life instantly changed from worrying about myself (and Mike) to doing anything and everything to keep my child safe and happy. There is nothing in this world that could change that feeling for me--she will always know that I will keep her safe. My hope is that my kids always know and believe that they are loved and valued. My prayer for Haven is that she grows up to be someone who puts others first and who loves and supports others who can not stand up for themselves. I am the farthest thing from an "expert" at this parenting thing but we made it one whole year and she couldn't be better so we must be doing something right. :)

Thank you to EVERYONE who supported and loved our family in any way over the past year. Our family and friends were there with kind words, tough love, a shoulder to cry on and a "congrats!" when we needed it most and we can never thank you enough.

To celebrate her big day-Mike and I took vacation from work and had a whole day planned for Haven. She slept in (much appreciated) and then woke up to her morning bags from Mina and Aunt Lin. She then made her way to the playroom to check out the new ball pit-which she can now flip herself out of (awesome.) before we packed it up and headed to the city. Rainforest Cafe was really fun and then we went to Bubbles Academy to see Aunt Kate and play, play, play.

One 20 minute nap + hours of playing made for one sleepy girl on the way home.

Wouldn't change one thing about our day.

one year ago today